Not Your Average Tourist Trap: Auckland Zoo

Far from the grid-style layout, small cages of old, Auckland Zoo is an inspiration to those interested in the preservation of the Earth's wildlife and a wonderful place to shoot photos.

When I started writing this, I wasn’t sure which category to put it under. The zoo is so creative, it’s enclosures so well-designed, that it could sit nicely under ‘Art & Culture’. However the reason I go as often as I do, is to escape the concrete jungle of the city center, so for me, it’s an escape.

Auckland Zoo has almost completely changed in the decade I’ve lived in Auckland. When I first arrived, it featured many of those ‘cages’ that have put me off of zoos in the past. They’ve spent the past ten years focusing on changing this into large open areas for the animals, creating homes for them, and adventures for the public.

The various areas of the zoo are all themed and have wonderful sculptures, buildings, and places to visit. The new New Zealand area being one of my favorites, you don’t just look at animals, you have a real experience.

Take a look at the pictures I’ve included, you’ll see not only animals, but sculptures and landscaping. These photos came from several visits over the past seven months, and all from a wide variety of cameras. What would you take? How would you shoot?

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